Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya—The Philippine National Police has acquired new helicopters to boost their disaster response, relief operations and medical evacuation.
Brigadier General Angelito Casimiro, PNP Regional Director for Cagayan Valley, said the national police recently acquired two Robinson 44s, one Bel type, and two 2H 125 Airbus helicopters.
“These choppers are insured through the Government Service Insurance System that is why our pilots need more than 1,500 flying hours [before operating them],” he said during a recent visit to the province.
Casimiro added the helicopters have 1 or 2 engines with 3 to 4 propellers.
The 2H 125 Airbus choppers cost P150 million each, while the Bel type is worth a whopping P750 million, the police regional chief said.
Another five Airbus choppers will be procured this year, Casimiro said, so they can be deployed in other regional PNP stations.
The new choppers, he said will be used for relief and disaster operations and medical evacuation of PNP personnel and critically-wounded civilians.
The establishment of a new PNP Medical Plaza is also being worked out, said Casimiro, which will cater to the medical needs of policemen and their families, retirees and civilians within the community needing immediate medical care and treatment.
The P1.8-billion medical center will be built in Camp Panopio, Quezon City, the regional police chief said.